Asian stock markets were higher in Monday trading.

Tokyo's Nikkei index rose 1.5 percent to close at 8,880.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumped two percent , to end at 18,874.

Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington, Taipei and Manila.

The dollar was selling at 77.38 yen in currency trading, up two-tenths of a yen from late Friday.